My name is Duke!

Duke is young Dane around a year old who is fully of puppy energy. He loves everyone he meets, and he LOVES to play! We have discovered that he can jump a 4 ft fence so a 6 ft fence will be required for his adoptive family. He loves to play with his buddies so he will need to go to a home with another young playful dog to help him burn off some of that energy.
Duke is currently at our kennel waiting for a foster home and he is really enjoying doggie day care and having all the different dogs to play with. He has yet to not make friends with everyone he meets.
Since Duke is a young boy and is still learning proper manners there will be a training addendum as part of his adoption contract to ensure he continues to learn proper behavior so he will be a fantastic addition to his new family.
Duke will be available for adoption as soon as he is neutered. Duke came to MAGDRL in August. (5)
Update 10/4/19
Duke is an energetic boy who is full of puppy energy! His favorite things are to take a nice long walk or play ball, then lay down on your feet for a rest. With his graceful gait and glossy black fur, he is also simply gorgeous, although a little underweight. Since he is young and energetic, Duke needs a little work on manners, such as not jumping up or pulling on the leash, but he is eager to please and a fast learner.

Duke is good with kids and does well with cats and other dogs as long as they are carefully introduced. He would make a wonderful best friend for any active family.
Update 12/12/19 –We have found out more about our bouncing bundle of Dane. His foster has successfully introduced the gentle leader to Duke making walks a lot easier to manage. He is very strong. Duke is getting used to it. He still doesn’t like it when first put it on but he also knows that it means it’s time for a walk. Once outside he is fine. He has done well with passing other dogs on his walks. He’s curious but doesn’t really try to interact.

He is pretty much crate trained. He has been fine in it at night and while we are not there. His fosters crate him for a little bit after he eats so that he will calm down. He whines a bit but is overall okay with being in there. Duke’s foster wrote the following “The first couple of days he was all mouth and paws and was jumping up a lot. He just wanted to play but he was using a lot of pressure when he was mouthing. I wasn’t sure we were going to make any progress but we’ve found a few tricks to match his exuberance. We make sure to take him on several long walks each day. When we let him out of the crate, we immediately give him his toy and we redirect him to it if he tries to mouth us. It’s a slow process but he’s starting to get it. As I mentioned, I do think a playmate would be good for him.
He does not know his size/strength and is rough when he tries to play with our 20 lbs beagle. Other times he has just sniffed her and left her alone. He’s curious, playful, eager to please and really just wants your attention and to be close to you including in your lap if you will let him. He’s going to make a great pet for someone that can spend the time with him.” No better words can be spoken about Duke. He is a puppy and puppies need direction, coaching, structure and discipline. Duke truly is a lovebug but an energetic one and is not for a first-time giant breed owner. He jumped a 4ft fence in the past so we are also looking for a fence a tad higher and definitely a large friend for him to play with.

Update 12/28/19
Duke continues to work on his manners. He loves his walks and is working on not pulling and also waiting before crossing the street. He has meet several dogs while walking and is curious but willingly moves on after sniffing hello. He is still 100% puppy and is all legs and mouth when playing. He loves his tug rope and his ball and can be usually be redirected with those toys if he gets too mouthy. He’s doing okay with the older smaller dog in his foster home, but still doesn’t realize his size or strength when he tries to play. He really want to be with his people and will gladly climb on your lap to gnaw on his bone. He will be a wonderful Dane for a family that can help him burn of his energy. Duke is on the smaller size weighing in at 100lbs ish so if you are looking for a smaller male that is eager to play then Duke is the one for you.
Update 2/17/2020

Duke continues to be jumpy and mouthy when excited (someone returning home, in anticipation of a walk), but this has definitely decreased and has become easier to redirect. No aggression, just excitement!

He is so very much a puppy (in a gangly teenage body!) and still needs a lot of attention and redirecting (all normal for being a puppy!). He is goofy and sweet!! Still doesn’t know his size nor what the definition of personal body space is, but these traits are actually kind of endearing. He loves his people, but maybe even more so, really loves having Maisie (Great Dane) to play with. He has LOTS of energy!! He loves walks and even brief ones are settling and redirecting in regulating his energy and exuberance. His leash manners are improving. We have been using a harness where the leash attaches at the chest, and this has made walking more successful and enjoyable. Walking helps to get out excess energy, but having Maisie to romp with (inside, outside, upside down!) and be corrected by is a greater contributor in using up his energy. They play long and hard, often to the point of exhaustion. Duke is a jumper so it has been determined that a 6 ft fence will be mandatory for his future adopters to ensure he stays put.

Kids- 8+
Cats-yes
Dogs-Yes